This post was updated on 07/09/22

The Summer is always glorious, with long lunches and days out etc. It quite often feels like a break from normal life, which is great for a while. But I’ve heard so many people say they are ready to get back into a routine and I know I am too. So why is that and why routine is crucial and valuable to our lives?

We all aware that children need a routine to provide structure in their lives. When we were babies and children, our lives ran on routine. Everything from what time we got up, and what time the bedtime routine started. Homework was done at a set time of the day, before or after dinner. It works for children and it works well for the parents to know what is happening when. However not all adults have so much structure in their day. I know from personal experience, if there isn’t any structure, I feel stressed, anxious and just overwhelmed. The way round this is for you to intentionally design a day that helps you be happy and productive. Living a life that you love.

You may think having a routine wouldn’t work for you or that it is too restrictive. We all already use routines every day, do you brush your teeth every day for example? Rather than being scared off by the idea of routine, I’d like to give you 9 reasons routine is crucial for a calm mind and life.

laptop notebook and glasses on bed

Be More Successful

Aristotle said “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Many well known successful people, including entrepreneurs, run their day on routines. One reason for this is that it means they have less mundane decisions to make. I’m sure you’ve read about the likes of Mark Zukerberg or Simon Cowell wearing the same clothes each day. Mark Zukerberg claims dressing in the same way allows him to focus his energy on more important decisions at work. 

Tynan, the author of “Superhuman by Habit,” says, habits are “action[s] that you take on a repeated basis with little or no required effort or thought.” You can read more about how your long term success depends on a solid daily routine here.

Creates Structure in our Lives

A daily routine provides structure and a logical sequence in our lives. It provides the framework within which you live your life and conduct your daily activities. As you become familiar and comfortable with what you have to do each day, it allows you to experience a flow to your day. As you already know what you are doing each day, you can move from task to another with ease and simplicity.

Saves Time-Something We Never get Back.

I know on the days I’m not following a routine; I can wonder where the time goes. It is very easy to watch TV for a bit longer or realise you are still hugging a coffee cup even though the coffee is long gone. By having a routine with a schedule, you are able to be more efficient with your time, which leads to you being more productive.

Planner and plant

Develops Good Habits

Having a routine that you follow keeps you on track, developing and following good habits. One thing that I’ve added to my morning routine recently is to have a Green Smoothie every day. By knowing this is what I do, it takes away the need to make a decision, which may lead to me making a less healthy choice. A routine is crucial for me to maintain good habits.

Reduces the Need for Willpower

Following on from my last point, less willpower is required when you are following something as routine. This can come in useful when you are making healthy changes in your life, such as when to go to the gym or what to eat. If part of your routine is that you go to a gym class on a Tuesday evening, this becomes the norm and reduces the chances of you not going.

Builds Self-Confidence

When we achieve what we set out to do, it helps build self-confidence gives a feeling of satisfaction and achievement. That dopamine hit, motivates us to repeat the behaviour as well, so continue with the routine and continue to receive the positive feelings.

planner and plant close up

Helps to Reduce Stress and Helps Relaxation

There will always be things in your life that are out of your control and this could lead to feelings of stress and overwhelm. Instead, you should focus on what you can control. When you design and live by a routine, it means you don’t need to worry about what needs to be done, as it is already considered. You can be safe in the knowledge that all is fine and focus on the here and now.

Helps Prioritise and Get The Most Important Tasks Done

Another reason why routine is crucial., is it can help you prioritise. When you carefully design a personal routine and stick to it, it allows you to get the most important things done first and out of the way. (As you have already defined what these are, when you designed your routine.) You know you can get the important tasks done, which then frees up time for other things.

Keeping Track and Living with Intention

Having a routine isn’t about filling every minute of every day, but it can help you become aware of how you are spending your day. You don’t need to be a robot about it and have the same routine each day if that doesn’t suit your lifestyle. It is fine if you only want to follow your routine Monday to Friday or if Tuesday and Thursday’s routine is different to the rest of the week. It is absolutely okay to have time outside of being productive and do nothing.

Further reading: How to Live Simply To Shine in Life

Routines are a choice or intention to live your life in a certain way, through healthy repetition. Routine is crucial for productivity, wealth and wellbeing. Whatever routine or routines you follow, need to work for your goals and lifestyle.

I’d love to know what you think about routine. Comment below and let’s get a discussion going! But not only that, I’ve got some free training for you.

If this has got you intrigued and inspired to (re)start nourishing routines for you then I have the perfect option for you. The Design your Day bundle contains all you need to help you start and end your days feeling fabulous by looking at how you view your time and then creating routines for your evening and morning. Plus a brand new planner to keep you on track and I’m also throwing in the Positive Affirmations Toolkit. This is for just £22 and available right now for you.

Design your Day Bundle
£22.00

About Tina Russell

Tina Russell is a Mindset and Wellbeing Blogger and Coach who helps busy women to calm the chaos in their mind and life, prioritise themselves and shine in all they choose to do. After years of not valuing herself and being a perfectionist, Tina suffered from anxiety and exhaustion and knew something had to change. She set about retraining her brain and getting her shine back, making self-care and self-development her passions. Now happier in her life, Tina uses her coaching and influencing skills from her corporate HR career, and years of experience in making positive changes to her life, to inspire and motivate other women to do the same.

3 Comments

  1. […] is the final part in a 3 part series on habits and routine. I’ve talked about why having a routine is crucial, my last post was on morning routine. So today let’s look at the evening routine. By evening […]

  2. […] week I wrote 9 reasons why routine is crucial for a calm mind and life and that your long-term success depends on a solid daily routine. A daily routine provides […]

  3. […] Further reading: Why Routine is Crucial for a Calm Mind and Life […]

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